His steps faltered as the willow came into view, standing tall as it overlooked the large pond next to it. Its sweeping vines swayed in the faint breeze that rippled the surface of the glossy water. He couldn't believe he decided to come out here, but the letter had intrigued him to no end. Gave him an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time; Hope.

He stops walking, taking a moment to smooth his hands over his tight dark suit to ensure the were no prominent wrinkles. Raising his hands he slicked back his unruly hair for the tenth time since he stepped out of his shower.

Flicking his sleeve up he eyed his watch, it's face illuminated by the moonlight. 9:58. He was just in time.

Steadying his nerves, he trekked over the grass towards the swaying willow tree. Brushing several low vines away he stepped under the canopy and looked around, his heart hammering loudly in his chest.

Twisting his hands nervously together in front of him, he looked around the area once more. He saw no one. Maybe his watch was fast? Or they were just running late? There were no other willow trees in this section of the garden, so it wasn't like he was at the wrong tree.

He sighs and turns to face the water, his shoulders slumping as his thoughts turn to worry.

It's quite a moment, then he nearly jumps out of his skin when he hears a gentle voice call out from behind him.

"You came."

Two words were all she spoke but it made his heart hammer once more.

"Ah, si. I did," he replies in what he hoped was a confident tone. But knowing him it probably showed just how nervous he was.

He heard soft footsteps on the grass approach him and he tensed slightly, still not turning around.

"I wasn't sure you would," she spoke again. It was like music to his ears. He turned his head slightly but didn't allow his eyes to look at her yet.

"Your letter...it was intriguing. How could I not come meet the angel behind the sweet words?"

"I am no angel, dear Cardinal," she laughs softly. It rushes through him, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine. He could listen to her laugh for ages.

"To me, you are. I... have not had much kindness shown to me in this life." He licks his lips and swallows lightly before continuing this confession. "That letter was the most I've had shown to me in years."

"You are a good, kind man. You deserve so much more than they give you." He hears her step closer still. "I wish to give you that, Copia. All the love and affection you deserve."

He slowly turns then, his breath catching as his eyes look over her soft heart shaped face framed with long flowing Auburn hair, cheeks hinting at a blush. Her lips are plump and so very kissable. Eyes were bright and shining as they stared up at him with unrestrained emotion.

Wait...

He stares into her different colored eyes mesmerized. One a gentle green, the other a stormy blue. Unique and oh so beautiful to gaze at.

"You have me at a disadvantage, Cara. You know me, but I only know you as an angel."

He watches her cheeks flush, a smile teasing at the corners of her lips. "My name is Irene. It's a pleasure to finally meet you face to face."

"The pleasure is all mine, Irene," he says with a small bow as he gently takes one of her hands in his gloved one, bringing it to his lips as he kisses her knuckles. His eyes never leave hers as he lowers their hands but doesn't let her go as he stands tall once more. He could feel their hands tremble, but he wasn't sure from whom it originated .

"I must admit, I find myself speechless now," she sighs out as she looks up into his own mismatched eyes, her free hand raises slightly before letting it fall back to her side.

He smiles warmly to her, reaching down to grasp her other hand before raising them both to his chest as he takes a step closer to her, their faces inches apart. He couldn't describe the swell of emotions he felt. How he felt drawn to her from the very center of his being, his soul yearning for hers. It felt more than simple lust or desire. Holding her hands, feeling them on his chest grounded him and sent a fire through him that nestled comfortably in his heart and pooled in his stomach.

"Then say nothing, mio dolce," he whispers before hooking a finger under her chin, thumb brushing against her lower lip as he tilts her head up. He feels her breath catch as her fingers curl slightly and hold at his shirt.

They gaze at each other in their close proximity, losing themselves in the depths of the other's eyes. His cool covered hand traces up her jaw then down the side of her neck before his fingers glide up through her hair, the leather pulling lightly at the stands as he leans down, pressing his lips gently against hers, no longer able to resist the pull he felt for her. It called to him, took control of his fears and worries and shoved them away. He felt more like himself than he ever had in this moment, here with her.

She sags against him lightly, a soft moan sounding in her throat as she moves her lips against his. His mustache tickles above her lip and a shiver runs down her spine as she feels heat pool between her thighs, imagining other places it could tickle her.

He releases his hold on her hands at his chest and slides it down her arm to her waist, circling around until his long fingers splay across her lower back before he tugs her tighter against him, groaning into her mouth as the action presses his growing arousal against her soft thigh. Her hands slide up over his shoulders as she lifts her arms to wrap them around his neck, her fingers gently tugging the hair at the base of his skull. The sensation elicits another lusty moan from him. It was music to her ears and it fanned her own arousal.

He was the first to pull away, trailing soft open mouthed kisses along her jaw and down of her neck. She leaned her head back to give him better access, her heart hammering in her chest as she moaned and shivered under his touch.

"I have just met you and already you are like a drug to me, mia dolce dea," he whispers huskily in her ear, teasing the lobe gently with his teeth before returning to her neck. "I don't want to stop kissing you until I have tasted all of you."

She whimpers in desire, holding tighter on his hair as he continues his slow teasing kisses to her collar bone. "Then don't stop, love. I told you I was yours if you would have me."

"Si, Cara," he sighs as he nuzzles the curve of her neck before pulling away, looking into her lidded eyes. "I would be most honored to have you. But I would want to do things properly."

She looks to him in confusion, her mind clouded by lust as she pants lightly. "What do you mean, hun?"

He smiles warmly and takes a step back, shivering from the lack of her warmth pressing against him. "Allow me to court you, Irene. To lavish you with gifts and outings. Get to know one another before throwing ourselves to passion."

She returns his smile, a hand sliding up to cup his cheek. "I would like that, Copia."

His smile widens and he holds her hand to his face, turning slightly to kiss her palm before looking back into her eyes. The bells in the distance chime out the medley they play at the half hour mark and breaks them from their moment.

"Ah, it is late Cara. Shall I escort you back to the dorms?" He pulls back once more, lowering her hand from his face before offering his arm. She smiles widely with a blush and links her arm through his.

"Such a gentleman, Copia. Si, thank you."

He flushes again as they step out from under the willow, beginning their long walk towards the abbey. Their pace is unrushed as neither quite want this night to end just yet. As they turn into the main path he realizes he can only hear one pair of shoes slap against the paved walkway and he looks down, his brow arching.

"Ehm, Cara?" He looks at her with an amused confusion.

"Hmm? What is it, Copia?" She smiles as she looks up at him.

"Well, um, why are you not wearing any shoes? Your feet will get sore, no?" He asks with a nervous chuckle.

She flushes once more and laughs. "Oh, that. No, I'll be fine. I, uh, generally don't wear shoes anywhere, love."

His brow furrows in further confusion and she feels her nerves tug at the back of her mind.

"I...I may as well tell you," she starts hesitantly as her pace slows slightly, eyes turning to the pavement in front of them.

"You'll find out soon enough anyway, and I don't want to keep anything from you as we pursue this courtship. Very few have been accepting of what I am, even here at the Ministry, because of who my family were. I'm just worried it will change how you see me, how you may feel about me."

"Nothing can do that, amore. Please, tell me," he places his other hand on top of her hand holding his arm. "I want to know all of you."

She exhales in a soft sigh, her lip trembling ever so gently as she finds her words.

"I'm…I'm a Witch, Copia. The last in a very powerful and once greatly feared bloodline- The Grimalaire. I assume you know of them." She casts her eyes down, blinking back a growing sting in her eyes as tears try to build. Her mind is racing, going through every possible outcome she could imagine, all of which show him leaving her now, knowing where she came from.

"Si, I know of them. I…actually found them quite fascinating." Her eyes widen and she looks up to him. He found them…fascinating? Did he truly know about her family? Surely if he did he wouldn't feel that way. Her family were monsters of the worst sort.

"You…um. What?" She pulls them to a stop and he looks down to her, tilting his head in confusion. "Surely you don't know them if you find them fascinating. They were monsters."

"I only know from what I have read, Cara. They often did terrible things, that is true. But they had a long lineage of some of the most powerful mages and sorceresses to ever walk the earth. It is a shame so much potential is now lost to history books."

"I can honestly say, that was not the reaction I expected you to have," she looks over his shoulder with a bewildered expression. "You're truly okay with me being a..a Grimalaire?"

"Cara Mia," he turns her face to his with a finger tucked under her chin. He waits until her eyes find his and he smiles. "You would not be you if you weren't. And being part of that bloodline does not make me think any less of you."

No words can be found for her as she stares into his eyes. She can see nothing but love and adoration for her. His words are true and it makes her heart soar.

"How the others have been so foolish to look past you, Copia." She stands on her toes to place a quick kiss on his lips.

"Ah, their loss is your gain, no?" His cheeks flush lightly and he holds her to him. "I am not sure about you, but I am okay with that."

She giggles and nods before relaxing against him. "As am I. Thank you for agreeing to meet me. And for accepting me. That alone means more than you know."

"Certo, il mio tesoro. Now," he pulls back and flashes an amused half smile. "You are barefoot because you are a Witch? I don't quite understand that logic."

She laughs and pulls out of his embrace, backing up until she's standing on the lush grass lining the walkway. "Being barefoot allows me to feel the Earth and the elements. It grounds me, helps to control my magic."

She breathes deeply and raises her arms out at her sides, tilting her chin up as her eyes close. A soft breeze picks up around her, the grass rustling around her feet as her lips fall into a lazy smile.

"Come, darling. Shed your shoes and join me so I may show you," she prompts him in an airy voice.